Getting Ready for Judgment Day: Watching and Preparing for the most Important Day of your Life

Have you ever known a prepper? I’ve known one or two in my life. Did you know that in the United States there are millions of preppers, estimates are anywhere from 20-25 million people in the USA are actively prepping themselves and their families for disasters in the future.

In 2023 the New York post reported that Mark Zuckerberg creator of Facebook was building a 260 million dollar bunker in Hawaii.

Millions prepare in different ways for disasters. And they are watchful of the times in which we live.

They watch carefully the news coming out of Ukraine with the conflict there. They are watchful of government power, after 9/11 and the conflict in Afghanistan and more recently the COVID-19 pandemic. They watch carefully, and they prepare carefully.

We’re looking at two concepts this Sunday, watchfulness and preparing. They are concepts closely linked, so I think it’s fitting we study them together.

What does it mean to be watchful? It’s cautiously viewing ourselves, viewing God’s agenda, and the workings of the world system.

What does it mean to prepare? It means cautiously preparing for the conclusion of your life, which is the judgment seat of Christ.

Some theologians would say oh no we Christians won’t appear at that judgment we’ll be at a separate judgment of rewards. That’s incorrect.

2nd Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

Whether good or bad, we will all face the judgment seat of Christ, to either be rewarded or condemned.

But we’ll get into that more later.

For these two concepts of watchfulness and preparation, we will turn to Matthew chapter 25.

We’ll be looking at both the parable of the wise and foolish virgins and the parable of the sheep and the goats.

We also will touch briefly on the parable placed between both of these, in the middle of Matthew 25, which is the parable of the talents, because I think all three are linked.

So we have a lot of ground to cover today, so I’m going to move somewhat quickly through these scriptures.

The first says this, (Matthew 25:1-13), “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.”

Stop there. First three words, “At that time…” At what time? If you flip back to Matthew 24, you see the entire chapter Jesus is talking about the end times, when his second coming arrives.

So we’re going to see this entire chapter of Matthew 25 is going to be using three different parables to explain what it will be like when Jesus returns and we meet Him face to face.

Way back at the beginning we started with the parable of the prodigal son, which was about how to get into the kingdom of God, the doorway, how it works, mercy and grace of God. Today we’re all the way at the end, what’s it like when your life on Earth concludes and you go and meet King Jesus for judgment.

It makes sense then that Jesus gives the picture of ten virgins coming out to meet the bridegroom.

The bridegroom is Jesus. He is our husband in the body of Christ, and we are like the ten virgins, pure, holy, made new by Him, and ready for His return.

But next it says, “2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.”

Five are wise, five are foolish. Which do we want to be like? The wise ones. It says they took extra oil in jars along with their lamps. Yet still the bridegroom was late in arriving, and they all fell asleep.


It reminds me of the night Jesus was betrayed. He told his disciples to watch and pray, but they all fell asleep. And in the end only one of the twelve stayed with him through his crucifixion.

Next, verse 6-9: 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

We see next that the foolish virgins were not appropriately watchful of the times they were living in. They did not store up extra oil. They were not properly prepared for the coming of the Master.

What do the lamps and the oil represent?

The lamp represents the faith of the believer, and the oil represents the power of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. How close are you with God in the Spirit? How much have you built your life around Jesus? Have you stored up extra oil? Or would the darkness of the end times leave your oil running out and your lamp going out?

Next in verses 10-13, “10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

I believe this parable is also prophetic and points to the end times. 5 were foolish, 5 were wise. I believe this parable is telling us prophetically that 50% of the body of Christ will not be ready when Jesus returns. And they will suffer loss.

Jesus says therefore keep watch, because you don’t know when…

But what does Jesus mean by watchfulness? It certainly does mean being watchful of the world around us. And it certainly does mean being watchful for the return of Jesus. Yet what is often missed in the concept of watchfulness is Jesus is calling us to be watchful of ourselves.

That is the key here for the wise and foolish virgins. Both the foolish and wise virgins fall asleep as they wait for the Master. The difference is the foolish have not stored up extra oil, and the wise have. It was not a question of watching for Jesus. It was a question of how well the virgins had been watchful of themselves.

Be watchful of yourself. Be watchful of your own walk with Jesus. Make an honest and sober evaluation of yourself: Where am I at spiritually? Am I all in for Jesus? Am I clothed and ready for service? Is my lamp burning? And have I stored up extra oil?

We’re to be watchful, prepared, ready at all times, in a soldier’s position with our armor on and ready, our weapon at our side. We should store up extra oil of the Spirit so we’re ready when the master returns.

Like the parable of the two sons, the challenge is action. You may be thinking, “OK great I need to store up extra oil. How do I do that?” I think it’s two things, one, in an honest self-evaluation, would I say that I’m “on fire for the Lord?” Or am I more lukewarm?

Secondly, if I’m indeed on fire for the Lord, is there a load of extra wood stacked up next to this internal fire? Are my spiritual practices active in a such a way that one would say I have an abundance of faith? Or am I operating at minimal levels?

I’ve got a prayer, bible, and church life, but are all three of those areas minimally functioning?

Our faith is fed by our relationship with God, and if we’re not actively engaging with God on a daily basis, the faith fire will die down.

If we’re feeding our faith with rich relationship with God, we will be like the wise virgins, who have extra oil stored up for the deep darkness before the Master returns.

As a believer, I want to challenge you to be watchful in three main ways:

1. Be watchful of yourself. The word of God tells us to judge ourselves (1 Cor 11:31). Soberly evaluate your walk with God, and how you can take it to the next level.

2. Be watchful of God’s kingdom agenda. Through prayer, prophetic ministries, study of the word, and so on, be watchful of what God is doing in the world. Where is he at work? What is on God’s heart? And then follow that.

3. Be watchful of the world system. Watch politics, conflicts, culture war, government surveillance, new technologies, medical ethics, and other areas of the world. Essentially, watch what the spirit of the air is up to. Be actively praying against Satan’s agenda, and the new world orders march forward. We have power in Christ to frustrate, slow down, stop, and even reverse the enemy’s schemes.

Briefly, take a look at the parable of the talents in v.14-30. Consider also, that if God gives us gifts, whether talents we have in our heart, or resources we have outside ourselves, we’re expected to show ourselves faithful by using those gift and talents wisely to bless others.

In verse 23 we get the famous scripture: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Good, this servant is pure in Christ, living out that purity, and they have been faithful with what God gave them. That spells victory on judgment day.

Next, Matthew 25:31-46 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.”

The first parable had to do with what will happen just prior to Jesus’ return, the virgins coming out to meet him. Now this parable has to do with what happens after Jesus returns, and we stand before him at his throne.

There are two categories here, sheep and goats.

Think about what sheep and goats are like. Sheep provide a harvest of wool, and are followers of the shepherd.

I know I’m generalizing here, but goats are a bit more resistant, they don’t follow, they resist, and go their own way. And they don’t provide a harvest the same way a sheep does.

While the first parable dealt with internal watchfulness, living closely with the Holy Spirit, this parable deals with external practice of our faith. Taking practical actions to produce a harvest.

In verses 34-36: 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Think back to the preppers we talked about. They do two things. They are watchful, they are constantly viewing the news, checking the stock market, and making sure they have the right knowledge for survival.

But if they only did that, they would be watchful, but not prepared. To be prepared means they buy freeze dried food supplies, have a generator, weapons, ammo, a supply of gas, water filters, and other supplies for an emergency situation.

Similarly, we as Christians can be watchful of ourselves, and the world, but if we don’t take any actions, we won’t be prepared.

How does a Christian prepare? By storing up ammo and canned food and anti-biotics and anti-radiation pills? No, we as Christians get prepared in a much different way.

We get prepared by feeding the hungry, giving someone a jacket, praying with someone who is sick, visiting someone in prison, inviting in a homeless person, and sharing the gospel with the unsaved.

In verses 37-40: “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Every time you serve someone who can’t serve you back, you are getting ready for judgment day. Your faith is being expressed in acts of service.

But let’s see what Jesus says to those on the other side, verses 41-45:

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”

There are two destinations here, in verse 46 it says, “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Either heaven or hell. And it’s contingent on two main factors: Did we store up extra oil? And did we live out our faith in practical actions to those in need?

The goal is that when we meet Jesus face to face, he would see our faith in Him, that was tested through the fire, and see that it manifested itself in practical service. It manifested in providing food, drink, housing, clothing, and visitation to those are who in need.

The kingdom system worked! God changed us, we responded by walking boldly in that change, and the victory is completed.

The end result is Jesus rewards us.

Or the other outcome is also possible. We received the great gift, but we didn’t live it out, we grew lazy, we didn’t really serve, it was just words, it didn’t manifest in actions, and in the end, we’re condemned with the world, because we did not provide food, drink, housing, clothing, and visitation. We heard the message, but we didn’t apply it. And in the end, it brings destruction.

The choice is ours. Will we walk in the blessing? Or will we slip back into our old ways?

Watchfulness, and preparation. Observe carefully your life and who you are, and also observe what is happening out there in the world. Then, having watched, prepare your life for His return. Prepare yourself to be judged by Jesus. Make sure your sins are washed in the blood of the lamb, and your faith is being lived out in practical ways. God loves you. He wants you. So Jesus will help you every step of the way, every moment, to be who he’s called you to be. Watch and prepare. Jesus is coming soon!

Applications:
A. Pray and ask God for help to store up oil for the journey to heaven. Read Richard Foster’s ‘Celebration of Discipline.’

B. Study the work of The Salvation Army in practical ministry, along with other prominent Christian charities, and mimic their activities.

C. Consider your growth process in Christ, does your fruit match what Christ describes in this parable? Write down an action plan for the future.

Discussion Questions
1. What does it mean to be watchful today?

2. What practical ways can we store up extra oil as we await the return of Jesus?

3. Make a sober evaluation of your current walk with God. How “on fire” are you?

4. When you look at your life, do you fulfill the mandates to provide for those in need?

5. Describe what you think it will be like at the judgment seat of Christ.

Overcoming Stigma: The Labels of Others vs. Your True Name

I recall as things got difficult in my family in my teens, and my parents drew closer to divorce, I found myself struggling more and more. I began acting out, and making bad decisions. I began experimenting with drinking and drugs. I began going to drinking parties and hanging with the wrong crowd. Around the age of eighteen I got into trouble. I got arrested for drug charges, and soon after drinking related charges. In my extended family, on my moms side particularly, I was now labeled as the problem child, the one who couldn't behave. I had become bad, the black sheep. And it became generally accepted that I could no longer do anything special with my life. The best I could hope for was to work a back room job and accept my label as the troublemaker.

When I became a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, I began sensing that God was calling me to full time ministry as a minister. This simply did not compute with my family. I had a rap sheet, I had a list of charges, I had done evil things. How could I possibly be a minister? But, I decided I wasn't going to wear the label of the bad one. I had been given a new name by my savior Jesus. I was called redeemed. Many in my family I think are still in shock. They can't believe or accept that I'm a pastor today. 

Thank God for the Salvation Army that set aside my rap sheet and believed that God had really changed me into a whole new person. Over the years some of my family began to rally around me. They accepted the new name God had given me. My grandma and grandpa, then my aunt, then my uncle, one by one they excitedly joined in the celebration around the new name God had given me.

But I know how stigma can influence someone. You start to believe that the stigma is true. You start to wear it as your own. I have a friend who also made some big mistakes. He seemed to choose to accept the stigma of his family as a bad one, and embraced the idea that he couldn't do anything special now that he'd made a mistake. Slowly though I think he's beginning to break from that mold, he's been attending a church in town and embracing his new identity in Christ.

The worst stigmas I've noticed that relegate people to the worst neglect are "loser" and "meaningless." I remember in junior high and high school, many students were bullied, and I mean many. These children were abused by other children, bullied mercilessly and labeled as "losers." At my high school there was even a table where "all the losers sat." I always feared being labeled in such a way. It seemed like a nightmare. I also recall how Christians were persecuted at the school. There was this one Christian girl who carried her Bible around at school and bullies would terrorize her. I thought those targeted as "losers" had it bad, this Christian girl was bullied without mercy. Back then I was grateful I didn't bring my Bible to school. Today I wish I had stood up for her.

The second stigma is "meaningless." This is not a particular specific name spoken over someone. But instead it's a cloud of ideas communicated in Hollywood, the music industry, popular culture, the materialistic philosophy, videogames, entertainment, academia, and society in general, which communicates to hundreds of millions of people that life has no ultimate purpose, and the universe is in the end, a meaningless howling void. Why does a woman objectify herself, go to bars, and go home with different guys? She's accepted the label that her life is ultimately meaningless. 

Why does a guy watch porn, play videogames all day, and work a job he hates? He's accepted a notion in our society that life is meaningless. It troubles me to no end, that for millions their destiny has been stolen from them. That woman at the bar, that guy at home playing videogames, they have a purpose, they have a calling, they have a hill to die on, a love and value to share in the world, but they've believed the lie that nothing matters in the end. So they pursue empty pleasures and shallow endeavors. 

Why not sleep around, do drugs, play videogames, and commit suicide at 27 when life doesn't matter? I once lived by that philosophy. And I wanted to die, I was so very empty and miserable. But Jesus Christ saved me. And he spoke life over me. He removed that concept of "meaningless" and replace it with "meaningful" and "mission." I have a new mission today, I have a love to share, and a hill to die on for Christ. Praise the Lord.

Forgiveness: How to Forgive when it's Hard

I remember growing up I was very close friends with my cousin Travis. We were best buddies. We would hang out together almost every day sometimes. We loved to play Madden. We’d play season after season of Madden. Other games as well. We would have sleep overs, talk for hours, and talk about the universe and why things were the way they were.

But, Travis and I would sometimes get in an argument. And it would be intense. Then we would be mad at each other for months, even years. This happened several times. And it was always so hard. But, each time, eventually, we would meet up again, and all would be forgiven. It didn’t matter anymore. We had forgiven each other. And it was like it never happened.

There would be a joy in the reconciliation that took place. And that joy would replace all the hurt that had taken place previously.

When we forgive, it brings joy and freedom.

A second example of forgiveness,

"When the first missionaries came to Alberta, Canada, they were savagely opposed by a young chief of the Cree Indians named Maskepetoon. But he responded to the gospel and accepted Christ. Shortly afterward, a member of the Blackfoot tribe killed his father. Maskepetoon rode into the village where the murderer lived and demanded that he be brought before him. Confronting the guilty man, he said, "You have killed my father, so now you must be my father. You shall ride my best horse and wear my best clothes." In utter amazement and remorse his enemy exclaimed, "My son, now you have killed me!" He meant, of course, that the hate in his own heart had been completely erased by the forgiveness and kindness of the Indian chief." -Today in the Word, November 10, 1993.

A third example of forgiveness, goes to the streets of new York in the 1970s, there was a street war for territory between the mau maus and the bishops, rival gangs. Pastor David Wilkerson went to the streets believing God had called him to preach the gospel to the gang members there.

Wilkerson stormed into the court room and was thrown out, but became known for this, and eventually made contact with the gang leaders, in particular, Nicky Cruz the leader of the mau maus.

Wilkerson held an event where both gangs came. But during the event, Wilkerson preached about forgiveness, and Nicky Cruz understood the message. He was changed in that moment. God’s grace in Christ made him new. And all his anger and bitterness became forgiveness and love.

Today we’re talking about forgiveness. We’ll be in Matthew chapter 18, and the scripture we’re looking at starts in verse 21.

But first let’s take a look at the context of our scripture today.

Jesus is talking about how to deal with a Christian brother or sister who sins against us.

It says this: v.15-20: “15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

This scripture tells us how to deal with another believer who sins against us. We go directly to them to try to work it out. If that doesn’t work, we bring someone with us, if that doesn’t work, we tell the body of believers about it, if that doesn’t help, then we treat them as a stranger.

So, often the question comes up in forgiveness, do I have to stay around someone who is abusive to me? The answer is no. I don’t have to maintain a relationship with a believer who is sinning against me repeatedly, as long as I go directly to them and ask them to change what they are doing. As long as I go through this process, then I have grounds to break fellowship with that person.

But the rest of what we’re looking at today is all about what goes on inside of our heart. Externally, we may break fellowship under certain circumstances, but just as important, it’s about how we respond within.

Now let’s get into our main teaching for today.

Peter is listening to Jesus talking about all this, and he asks Jesus a follow up question.

Verses 21-22: “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

How does God’s kingdom work? And how can we live by it’s guideposts? Today we find another guide post that is vital. If we’re forgiven by Jesus and all our sins are gone, then we are in turn commanded to forgive others who sin against us.

The question is: How many times should I forgive someone who sins against me? Up to seven times?

Jesus next goes into a parable to explain how the machinery of God’s kingdom system works in regard to the justice of forgiveness.

Jesus says, v. 23-25, “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.”

In the parable we have a King who has many servants who owe him money. One man is brought forward who owes a massive amount. He owes 10,000 bags of gold. Many theologians estimate in today’s money, we’d be talking anywhere from 7 to 13 billion dollars. A massive debt, unthinkably huge.

OK, why is Jesus talking about gold and debts? What is he trying to explain? Jesus is explaining that our sins are a debt before God that are extremely huge. The debt of sin is incredibly huge, it’s punishment is massive, the punishment is everlasting death... A fate so terrible we can’t even imagine it’s implications.

Why is sin so terrible? Let’s try to understand why: One sin, by Adam and Eve, led to a world full of sin today, murder, suicide, lying, stealing, drug addiction, domestic violence, gang violence, money laundering, sexual abuse, pedophilia, world wars, and worse.

All from one sin. Why is sin so terrible? Because sin leads to more sin.

Yet honestly I think that's secondary. The real reason sin its so terrible is because it's something that exists in an endless darkness outside the will of God. And anything outside of God's will is injustice. To become one with injustice (sin), is always infinitely wrong.

Conversely, heaven gets better and better everyday, because it’s based on perfection, no sin, and without sin, everything always gets better. But that’s also why hell gets worse and worse everyday, because when any sin is present, sin produces more sin, like a virus that spreads, sin is endless.

God simply applies to eternity what we began in our time window on this Earth. If we had embraced sin, our lives were slowly crumbling becoming worse and worse. God seals that off for eternity. Your permanent reality, punishment, torment, will reflect that forever. And the process continues infinitely, even beyond the second judgment and into the lake of fire. 

If we embraced righteousness, received Christ, we had begun a process of sanctification, whereby we are slowly conformed into the image of Christ. If we embraced that process, it continues beyond this life, into eternity. God magnifies what we began here on Earth into eternity. 

Our lives are just a blink of an eye, one day we will go before our master to settle accounts. And there will be no tricks on that day, there is only truth. Were your sins forgiven by Jesus? Or were they not?

And result is as real as us sitting here today, eternal paradise or eternal punishment. Better and better forever, or worse and worse forever.

Let’s see what happens next in the parable:

Verses 26-27: “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.”

The master took pity on the servant. The servant pleaded for mercy. He asked for time to pay it back. But the master doesn’t even make him pay back this massive debt, he cancels the debt completely. Amazing grace.

This is what happens when we ask Jesus to forgive our sins. Jesus forgives all our sins. And we’re set free. The debt we owed to God is cancelled.

None of us understand just how important it is that Jesus died for our sins. We don’t get it fully. We kind of understand it. But I think three seconds into judgment day, we’ll know just how infinitely valuable it was that Jesus died for us.

Next, verses 28-29: “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

The value of this debt is about $11,700. A significant sum of money, but nothing compared to the billions this servant had owed to the master.

This scenario is replaying exactly what happened between the master and the servant, except the servant is owed much less by his fellow servant. And the servant has just been forgiven a massive amount.

What will he do? Each of you immediately think, well, he was just forgiven a massive amount, surely he will be merciful to this man who owes him something much less.

Verses 30-31: “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.”

The servant refused to be merciful, but had the man thrown in prison. Other servants saw what happened and reported it back to the master.

What’s going on here? What is Jesus referring to? This entire scenario is about forgiveness.

We owed a massive debt to God because of our sins. Our punishment would’ve been enduring permanent hell. But Jesus died on the cross to pay our debt for us. He endured the suffering we should’ve endured, so we could be forgiven.

So now that we’ve been redeemed, Jesus commands us to forgive people who hurt us. We’re commanded to be merciful to people who owe us a debt due to sin. We are to consider that debt paid in full.

But let’s go to the other extreme. What if we don’t? What if we live our lives refusing to forgive others? What if we hold up hatred and anger and bitterness toward the people around us?

Let’s see what the master says.

Verses 32-35: “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

The key phrase here is: "Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had mercy on you?"

When we have someone we need to forgive of their sins against us, it’s hard. Very hard. Why? It hurts. And we’re angry. Even ruined by what they did.

But we have to remember that what they did is small compared to what Jesus did for us.

Who do you need to forgive today? It’s time to find freedom. I want you to pray right now, and offer them forgiveness in your heart. And you will be free from the bitterness. You will be free from the hatred. You will be free from the pain. It’s time to give it to God and put it in His courtroom. 

What does this do? Does this mean that they are now pure as snow? No it doesn’t.

Sometimes in the judicial system a lower court will send the case to a higher court, and even sometimes to the Supreme Court, which is the US’s highest court. When you choose to forgive, you are actually sending the case to a higher court. You are sending the case to God’s court.

When you refuse to try to punish someone for what they did to you, and you forgive them, that functionally puts it in God’s court room. And God will do justice.

For most situations, we can pray and forgive them before God, and God takes over the case.

But notice it says we must forgive “from the heart.” I think many times I would try to forgive someone, I was forgiving them from the head. But it must be in the heart. In the heart we hold bitterness and anger, not in the head. So the forgiveness must come from the heart.

Forgiveness is a miracle. At first it feels impossible, but when you invite God into the situation, you come into a scenario that is called “overthrow.” God overthrows in you the hate and fear and bitterness, through a miraculous act, as you pray, and cry out, and seek God’s help to forgive. In the overflow, love and mercy replaces unforgiveness. Overthrow is beautiful. Ask God now.

Out of the bitter burning hot coals of unforgiveness, comes the flood of the Holy Spirit, amazing grace like living waters pouring over the hot coals, extinguishing the inferno and bringing a flood of peace. 

What about very difficult hurts? For some very severe scenarios, where the unforgiveness is strong, there is a second option. In a scenario where it’s very firmly implanted, here is the prescription: Pray for that person once a night for two weeks. 

And you pray for them to receive all the good things you want in life. And as you pray that prayer each night, the prayer begins to change your heart. And you can no longer hate that person after praying for them for two weeks. Then, the forgiveness will be much easier.

For some scenarios you may also need to speak to that person directly to find resolution to the situation, but do so only prayerfully as God leads you to.

In conclusion, how important is forgiveness to the disciple of Jesus? It is literally a salvation issue. In the kingdom of God system grace and forgiveness are huge. The disciple has received a full pardon for their sins. Yet Jesus immediately requires a similar attitude from the disciple toward others.

By an act of sacrificial mercy, the King has pardoned our sins. And it cost the King his own blood. Now, the King requires our response to sins against us to be sacrificial in nature as well.

Can we see the point? If our sins are forgiven by God, how can we hold up unforgiveness, hold someone in a prison of our anger because they hurt us in some way? It’s hypocrisy to hold up unforgiveness toward someone. God has forgiven us, so we must forgive those who have done unforgivable things to us.

We’re to show the kind of mercy that God has shown us. But it goes further than that, we’re also supposed to show grace. In other areas of the scripture we’re told to bless those who curse us, and pray for those who persecute us. Forgiveness is one thing, it’s a miracle, but to pour out grace to one who has harmed us? That’s glorious.

This is not a suggestion, but a command. We’re warned that God will not forgive some of our sins if we refuse to forgive others their sins.

The Blessing: The blessing is that God has given us total forgiveness of our sins and we rejoice in that freedom.

The Challenge: The challenge is that we find no option in scripture to refuse forgiveness toward those who have hurt us. We must forgive them.

Next Steps:
A. Make a list of the people you need to forgive. Go through the list and pray for God’s help, then declare your choice to forgive them out loud.

B. Journal some of the worst sins that you’ve committed, then rip up and throw away the list as a reminder that Jesus has removed your sins.

C. Go to someone from your past who you sinned against (as God leads) and ask for their forgiveness and offer to make amends for what you did wrong.

Discussion Questions:
1. How does it feel to know your sins are forgiven by God?

2. Why is forgiveness so hard?

3. Describe a time when someone forgave you for a wrong.

4. If we’re stuck in hatred or unforgiveness how can we escape that prison?

5. What does it mean to show both forgiveness and grace to someone who wronged you?

How it Feels to be Rejected by People

 We know that Jesus was despised and rejected by the ruling elites of his time. That fact is beyond dispute. Should we be surprised then when we are rejected and despised by those around us?

I want to consider three main areas in regard to this topic: 

First, how it feels to be rejected.

Second, why it happens. 

Third, how to move forward. 

I've never shied away from sharing my beliefs openly in the body of Christ, and I will always continue to do so. Though I've learned over the years to be more cautious and prayerful about how and what I share. 

In all this, I've been involved in some controversies surrounding sermons I've preached, and ideas I've shared. 

How does it feel then, to be at the center of one of these controversies? It's stressful, and straining, yet there is also an assuredness, that God is there. Often, the end result is positive. The seed of it produces what it should. Yet at the same time resentments develop. And accusations are made. Soon, there is a result that is not positive. At least in my own heart. It is a sense of feeling rejected by people. 

There are three things I've heard spoken to me in the church, by leaders and heroes in the body.

The first is, "I know you." This often occurs when I first introduce myself to someone I've not met before. They usually will shake my hand, while glaring back at me, and declare, "I know you." What they are saying is, they've heard of me. And what I often see in their eyes, is hatred, or disgust. 

They've heard gossip about me. And they've already decided, without ever speaking to me, that they believe I am bad, or they hate me. This is one I hear often: "I know you." What's ironic, is that they don't know me. They've never spoken to me. But they've listened to gossip, gossip they should've rebuked or at least ignored, and they took that information and decided to reject me before ever getting to know me. 

This is always painful. We as human beings have an innate desire to be liked, to be valued, and to feel accepted. Many will even compromise some of their core beliefs in trade for a sense of feeling accepted. So it's a dark feeling to sense that you are rejected and even despised by another human being.

But more so, it makes me sad. Because I wish they would give someone a fair hearing, sit down and talk to them, before outright rejecting them. 

The second thing I hear is even more painful. This often comes from someone who honestly does agree with me on many of the things I've written and spoken about. Yet there remains a disdain. 

They say to me: "I don't know you." What they are saying is, "I don't recognize your right to speak into this group." They agree, but the rebuke remains, as they declare a sense of "who is this person who dares to speak?" They seem to imply, I agree with you, but I don't recognize your right to speak. 

What's ironic is that they do know me, our kindred perspectives as well as our unity in the body makes us brothers, family, but, they offer rejection none-the-less. 

How does this feel? It leads to a lot of hurt, and sorrow. But it's never made me question what I know: God has called me to speak His word. I dare to continue speaking. 

Honestly, this group is a minority among so many brothers and sisters who have come along side me, sensed the Spirit in my ministry, and encouraged me, believed in my authority to speak, and rallied around the causes I championed. 

Yet what I've learned is that there is a whole subset of the body of believers that feel this way. They feel odd, ignored, rejected, and unseen, because they don't have the right connections or the right ideas. 

Often these are capable leaders, yet they are overlooked because their best efforts go unseen. They've been tagged and marked as "one of those people." Yet how poorly the tag fits, for many perceived outcasts.

How can this problem be remedied? 

First, we have to be radically dedicated to the leading of the Holy Spirit. In the Spirit, we'll have a sense of total impartiality, as far as who should be where, the only question is talent level, ability, and most of all, the leading of the Holy Spirit. Where does God want this person to serve? This takes radical impartiality, a complete dedication to placing based on the Spirit.

Second, we have to change our mindset. In the world it's very normal, though it shouldn't be, that we target those we dislike, or those we perceive as a threat, and we do something called "gossiping, rallying, and shaming." 

We gossip about the person in question. We rally others to the claim that this person is wrong. And we shame the person publicly, they are bad, and here is why. 

Gossiping, rallying, shaming,. it's common in junior high, high school. We destroy those we dislike. It's common also in politics, polarize their name, claim they are controversial, and with those words, we polarize that person, so people draw away from connection to that person or cause, because it's socially costly to do so. 

This is not the way of Christianity though. The Christian pattern is found in Matthew 18. Go directly to the person, go to the person with one other, if they still refuse to listen, warn the church (group) publicly at that point. But not before that point. 

If you've found yourself the target of rejection and hatred from fellows in the church, understand that it's to be expected. Jesus was hated and reject. The Apostle Paul was hated and mistreated in the church. Moses was complained against. The prophets were rejected and persecuted. The judges were resisted. David faced constant danger, rejection, despair, yet one day he became King. 

Understand that disagreement is not rejection. We will in the church have discussions and disagreements. It's to be expected. I've never felt someone hated me just because we disagreed. 

We should hope that rejection and hatred would not occur at all in the church. But we also understand that it will happen. That doesn't make it OK, but it is a reality. We should fight against it and pray against it. But we should also have our armor on each day, the armor of God, so that it doesn't poison us and lead to discouragement. 

I confess, I've allowed rejection to lead in my life, to bitterness, resentment, and worst of all discouragement. And if you struggle with something similar, pray, seek God's help, and seek outside counsel for healing. We can't succeed in ministry carrying around bitterness or discouragement. Seek healing. 

In conclusion, a retired officer often comes up to me, draws me close to his eyes and says, "You matter." 

That's the idea I think we need to embrace. To the one who seems to be the outsider the words should be: You matter. You have a stake in this movement. You are a leader. Your anointing is the only test, not the name, not your history, not your connections, but the anointing that the Lord has placed on you. God's will is what matters most. 

You matter. Your ideas matter. We will have vigorous discussion and debate. But even if we disagree, as long as we both stand within biblical orthodoxy, we matter. And hopes matter, our dreams matter, and we need each other. 

You matter outsider, never forget that. Let us pray day and night that those insiders who are authorities can see and believe in and support and uplift the rejected outsiders who linger in our midst. 

Lord, have mercy on us. Thank you Jesus. Amen.